Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Overview & Symptoms

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus (sputum) production and wheezing. It's caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. People withCOPDare at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions that contribute toCOPD. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It's characterized by daily cough and mucus (sputum) production.

Emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) of the lungs are destroyed as a result of damaging exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating gases and particulate matter.

COPDis treatable. With proper management, most people withCOPDcan achieve good symptom control and quality of life, as well as reduced risk of other associated conditions.

Symptoms

COPDsymptoms often don't appear until significant lung damage has occurred, and they usually worsen over time, particularly if smoking exposure continues. For chronic bronchitis, the main symptom is a daily cough and mucus (sputum) production at least three months a year for two consecutive years.

Other signs and symptoms ofCOPDmay include:

Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities

Wheezing

Chest tightness

Having to clear your throat first thing in the morning, due to excess mucus in your lungs

A chronic cough that may produce mucus (sputum) that may be clear, white, yellow or greenish

Blueness of the lips or fingernail beds (cyanosis)

Frequent respiratory infections

Lack of energy

Unintended weight loss (in later stages)

Swelling in ankles, feet or legs

People withCOPDare also likely to experience episodes called exacerbations, during which their symptoms become worse than usual day-to-day variation and persist for at least several days.